Method of and apparatus for producing compound ingots



March l, 1966 A. HARNISCH ET AL METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING COMPOUND INGOTS Filed Oct. 30, 1962 Fig. l

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 1, 1966 AHARN1SCH ETAL 3,237,908

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING COMPOUND INGOTS Filed OG.. 30, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 2

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fr 22d Y@ Z? 24 22 United States Patent O 3,237,908 METHOD F AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING COMPOUND INGOTS Albert Harnisch, Georgsmarienhutte, near Osnabruclr,`

and Friedhelm Hillebrand, Osnabruck, Germany, assignors to Klockner-Werke AG, Duisburg, Germany Filed Oct. 30, 1962, Ser. No. 234,027 Claims priorityapplication Germany, Oct. 31, 1961, K 45,087 Claims. (Cl. 249-62) The present invention relates to a method of and to an apparatus for producing compound ingots, and more particularly to an improved ingot mold which is utilized for simultaneous reception of different types of molten metallic substances, such as two or more types of molten steel.

It is already known to produce ingots which comprise two or more types of steel or another metallic material. Such ingots are obtained by pouring two or more different molten metallic substances into a common ingot mold whose internal space is subdivided by one or more partitions extending between spaced internal surfaces of the ingot mold. The partitions normally consist of sheet metal or plate metal. A serious drawback of such assemblies is that molten material tends to bleed between the end faces of the partitions and the adjacent internal surfaces of the ingot mold not only because the partitioning sheets do not lit snugly into the ingot-mold but also because the marginal zones of the sheets are more likely to melt away than the remainder of the sheets whereby the sheets fail to form distinct and continuous barriers between the ingots which are obtained upon chilling of molten substances poured into the chambers at the opposite sides of the respective partitions. In other words, since the marginal zones of partitioning sheets are likely to melt away sooner than the central portions of the sheets, molten substances which should have been separated by the sheets are free to come into direct contact with each other along the internal surfaces of the ingot mold and, as a result of such contact, the sheets fail to provide a complete wall between the two substances.

Accordingly, it is an important object of the present invention to provide an improved partition which may be assembled and located in an ingot mold in such a way that it prevents direct contact between metallic substances which are poured into the ingot mold at the opposite sides thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an ingot mold which embodies one or more such partitions.

A further object of the invention is to provide a composite partition of the above outlined characteristics which is capable of forming a satisfactory barrier between two molten metallic substances and which thereby prevents blending of such substances even if one or more of its component parts are not produced with a great degree of precision.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a method of assembling a composite partition of the above outlined characteristics.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide a method of assembling a composite partition and of installing such composite partition in an ingot mold.

Still another object of the instant invention is to provide a method of assembling a Prefabricated composite partition of the above outlined characteristics.

With the above objects in View, the invention resides in the provision of a method of reducing the likelihood of mixing of molten metallic substances which are received in chambers formed upon subdivision of the internal space of an ingot mold by a partition of the type having at least one central panel and heat resistant edge portions which abut against opposed internal surfaces of ice the ingot mold. The method comprises the steps of introducing the partition into the mold, and placing the edge portions into such close proximity of the respective surfaces that bleeding of metallic substances about the partition is reduced to a minimum or that the partition eliminates any possibility of direct contact between such substances.

The partition may be assembled externally of the mold, for example, by welding the edge portions to the marginal portions of one or more spaced metallic panels which constitute the central portion of the partition, and by thereupon inserting the assembled partition into the internal space of the ingot mold. However, it is equally possible to place the panel or panels into the ingot mold so that they extend substantially transversely between the opposed internal surfaces of the mold, and to thereupon drive the edge portions between the marginal portions of the panels and the respective surfaces. In accordance with a further modilication of our method, the edge portions are introduced in a first step and the central portion is introduced in the next step. When the partition is assembled in the internal space of the mold, we prefer to place llers (preferably consisting of elastically deformable metallic material, such as wire netting) between the edge portions and the marginal portions of the central portion to make sure that the central portion will be held in proper position and also to facilitate insertion of the central portion or of the edge portions.

The apparatus of our invention comprises an ingot mold Whose internal space is partially bounded by two opposed substantially vertically extending internal surfaces, and a composite partition having preferably U- shaped upright edge portions whose webs abut against the respective surfaces to prevent bleeding of molten substances thereabout and each of which is formed with an v, elongated vertical channel adapted to receive the marginal portions of one or more panels which together constitute the central portion of the partition. The dimensions and the material of the edge portions are selected in such a way that the resistance which the edge portions offer to melting at temperatures prevailing in the mold at the time its chambers receive molten substances at least equals the resistance offered by the central portion to insure that, upon withdrawal of the compound ingot from the internal space of the mold, the edge portions form a distinct line of demarcation on the ingot between the dissimilar metallic substances.

The edge portions protect the marginal portions of the panels against direct action of heat at the time the chambers defined by the partition receive molten metallic substances. If exposed to temperatures normally prevailing in an ingot mold, such marginal por-tions are much more likely to burn and/or to melt than the remainder of the panels so that, even if a panel would extend all the way across the internal space of the mold, it would be likely to melt along the marginal portions thereof and would provide a path for molten substances so that the resulting compound ingot would be one of inferior quality because there would be no distinct barrier which would separate the two substances.

Of course, it is equally possible to insert two or even more partitions into a single ingot mold.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed descrption of certain specific embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a horizontal section through an ingot mold which accommodates a partition constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. la is a side view of a specic embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a similar horizontal section through an ingot mold which accommodates a diterent partition having a central portion iconsisting of three spaced panels.

Referring now in greater detail to the illustrated embodiments, and first to FIG. 1, there is shown an apparatus for producing compound ingots including an ingot mold 1 which defines an internal space 1a extending from the bottom wall and all the way to the open upper end thereof. The opposed internal surfaces 1b, 1c of the mold 1 are disposed in two substantially vertical planes. The partition comprises two U-shaped edge portions or end pieces 2, 2' each of which includes an upright web 2a, 2a and two legs or flanges 2li-2c, 2b- 2c', respectively. The channels 2d, 2d defined by the respective edge portions 2, 2 open toward ea-ch other and respectively receive marginal portions 3a, 3a and 3b, 3b of two spaced vertical panels or sheets 3, 3 which together constitute the central portion of the partition. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the partition further comprises two tillers 4, 4 which consist of elastically deformable material, such as wire netting, and which hold the panels 3, 3' against tilting.

The partition of FIG. 1 is assembled as follows:

In the first step, the webs 2a, 2a are placed into abutment with the internal surfaces 1b, 1c, respectively. In the next step, the fillers 4, 4' are respectively placed into the channels 2d, 2d', followed by the panels 3, 3' whereby the fillers yield and permit the panels to descend all the way to the bottom wall 5 of the mold 1. Each of the chambers 6, 6a then receives a different molten metallic substance, and it will be noted that the fillers 4, 4 bias the outer sides of the webs 2a, 2a against the respective internal surfaces 1b, 1c of the mold 1 so that molten metals cannot bleed about the partition. At the same time, the legs of the edge portions 2, 2 protect the marginal portions 3a, 3b, 3a', 3b against direct exposure to heat transmitted by the substances poured into the chambers 6, 6a, so that the marginal portions do not melt away. The material of the edge portions 2, 2 may be cast iron and the panels 3, 3' may be made of any suitable metallic material. The compartment 7 defined by the edge portions 2, 2 and panels 3, 3 may be lled with wire mesh or with another filler substance which then tends to maintain the panels 3, 3 in abutment with legs 2b, 2b and 2c, 2c', respectively.

Of course, it is equally possible to assemble the partition of FIG. 1 in accordance with a slightly different method, namely, by placing the panels 3, 3 transversely between the surfaces 1b, 1c, by thereupon placing the fillers 4, 4 against the marginal portions, and by introducing the edge portions 2, 2' in a subsequent step.

FIG. la illustrates a slightly modified partition including two edge portions 12, 12', and one or more panels 13 whose marginal portions are secured to the edge portions by spot welding as at 18, or in any other suitable way. This preassembled or prefabricated partition then forms a rigid unit and is introduced into the internal space of an ingot mold. For example, the partition of FIG. 1a may be inserted into the mold 1 of FIG. l to subdivide the chamber 6 or 6a into a pair of smaller chambers.

The provision of llers 4, 4 is of considerable advantage because such illers bias the edge portions against the respective internal surfaces even if the panels of the central portion are not dimensioned with great prec-ision.k Thus, all an operator has to do is to select fillers which are thick and elastic enough to maintain the outer sides of the edge portions in abutment with the internal surfaces of the ingot mold. It is often suiicient to use 4 a single filler, i.e., the filler 4 or 4 of FIG. l may be omitted.

FIG. 2 shows an apparatus including an ingot mold 1 and a modified partition whose central portion comprises three spaced vertical panels 23, 23', 23" having marginal portions 23a, 23a', 23a received in the channel 22d of a first U-shaped edge portion 22. The other set of marginal portions 2311, 23b, 2311l extends into the channel 22d' of the second edge portion 22'. The fillers 24, 24' respectively bias the webs 22a, 22a against the internal surfaces 1b, 1c, and it wil be noted that the width of the central panel 23 is less than the width of the outer panels 23, 23, i.e., the marginal portions 23a', 23h of the central panel 23 are more distant from the webs 22a, 22a'. Consequently, the fillers 24, 24 must be Iof such thickness that they retain the central panel'23' in the illustrated position. FIG. 2 shows clearly that the fillers 24, 24' are subjected to greater compression at points adjacent to the legs 22b, 22e` and 22h', 22C', respectively.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic and specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus for producing compound ingots, comprising an ingot mold defining an internal space and having a pair of opposed internal surfaces bounding a portion of said space; and a partition consisting entirely of ferrous material received in said space and extending between said surfaces to thereby divide said space into a pair of distinct chambers each of which is adapted to receive a different molten metallic substance, said partition comprising a central portion including at least one panel having two marginal portions each of which is adjacent to but spaced from one of said surfaces, and a pair of reinforced edge portions each disposed between one of said surfaces and the panel, said edge portions having channels receiving the respective marginal portions and being in such close proximity of the respective surfaces that they at least reduce bleeding of molten substances about said partition, the resistance offered by said edge portions to melting at temperatures prevailing in said mold at the time said chambers receive molten substances exceeding the resistance offered by said marginal portions, the molten substances received in said chambers eventually forming a monolithic ingot with said partition.

2. An apparatus for producing compound ingots, comprising an ingot mold defining an internal space and having a pair of opposed internal surfaces bounding a portion of said space; and a partition consisting entirely of ferrous material received in said space and extending between said surfaces to thereby divide said space into a pair of distinct chambers each of which is adapted to receive a different molten metallic substance, said partition comprising a central portion and a pair of reinforced edge portions, each of said edge portions being so closely adjacent to one `of said internal surfaces as to at least reduce bleeding of molten material about said partition and the material and the dimensions of said edge portions being selected in such a way that the resistance they offer to melting at temperatures prevailing in said mold at the time said chambers receive molten substances exceeds the resistance offered by said central portion, the molten substances received in said chambers eventually forming a monolithic ingot with said partition.

3. An apparatus for producing compound ingots, comprising an ingot mold defining an internal space and having a pair of opposed internal surfaces bounding a portion of said space; and a partition received in said space and extending between said surfaces in a substantially vertical plane to thereby ydivide said space into a pair of distinct chambers each of which may receive a different molten metallic substance, said partition comprising a pair of spaced substantially U-shapcd edge portions of metallic material each having an upright web abutting against one of said surfaces and each deiining a substantially vertical channel which opens toward the other thereof, and a central portion comprising at least one metallic panel having marginal portions received in said channels, said webs being in such close proximity of the respective surfaces that they at least reduce bleeding of metallic substances about said partition and the `dimensions and the material of said edge portions being selected in such a way that the resistance they offer to melting at temperatures prevailing in said mold at the time Said chambers receive molten metallic substances exceeds the resistance offered by said marginal portions, the molten substances received in said chambers eventually forming a monolithic ingot wit-h said partition.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said central portion comprises two spaced panels whose marginal portions extend into the respective channels toward but short of the respective webs, and further comprising an elastic metallic ller disposed between each web and the respective marginal portions of said panels.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said central portion comprises three spaced panels whose marginal portions extend into the respective channels toward but short of the respective webs, and further comprising a ller of elastic metallic material interposed between each web and the respective marginal portions of said panels.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 4, wherein said fillers consist of wire mesh.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein said panels include -a central panel and two outer panels and wherein the distance between the marginal portions of said central panel and the respective webs exceeds the distance between the marginal portions of said outer panels and the respective webs.

3. A method of casting two lots of molten metallic substances into a compound ingot in a mold having Walls denng a mold cavity comprising the -steps of pouring two molten metallic substances into a mold; separating the two substances in the mold from each other by a pair of end pieces having channels and being located opposite each other adjacent and abutting the internal wall surfaces of said mold and by at least one panel extending across the mold and having ends located in the channels whereby said ends are protected from the heat of the molten substances by said end pieces and are not melted; permitting said substances to cool and harden so that said end pieces, said panel and the two hardened substances in the mold form a composite ingot; and withdrawing the composite ingot from the mold.

9. A method as set forth in claim 8, including the step of welding said ends of said panel to said end pieces.

10. A method as set forth in claim 8, wherein said end pieces are made of a material resistant to melting to a higher degree than said panel, and including the step of pressing said end pieces by said panel against said Walls of the mold to prevent bleeding of said metallic substances across said end pieces.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 910,405 1/ 1909 Monnot 22-60 927,062 7/ 1909 Monnot 22-201 929,687 8/1909 Monnet .22*201 X 949,837 2/1910 Page 22-204 X 1,172,747 2/ 1916 Slattery 249-62 1,678,976 7/ 1928 Durfee. 1,710,931 4/ 1929 Klein 22-201 1,723,345 8/1929 Green. 1,843,702 2/ 1932 Ackermann 249-84 1,913,358 6/1933 Berve 22-201 2,244,367 6/ 1941 Kinkhead 22-201 FOREIGN PATENTS 612,534 1/1961 Canada.

20,502 3/1929 Netherlands.

J. SPENCER OVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner.

MICHAEL V. BRINDISI, MARCUS U. LYONS,

Examiners. V. K. RISING, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING COMPOUND INGOTS, COMPRISING AN INGOT MOLD DEFINING AN INTERNAL SPACE AND HAVING A PAIR OPPOSED INTERNAL SURFACES BOUDNING A PORTION OF SAID SPACE; AND A PARTITION CONSISTING ENTIRELY OF FERROUS MATERIAL RECEIVED IN SAID SPACE AND EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID SURFACES TO THEREBY DIVIDE SAID SPACE INTO A PAIR OF DISTINCT CHAMBERS EACH OF WHICH IS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A DIFFERENT MOLTEN METALLIC SUBSTANCE, SAID PARTITION COMPRISING A CENTRAL PORTION INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE PANEL HAVING TWO MARGINAL PORTIONS EACH OF WHICH IS ADJACENT TO BUT SPACED FROM ONE OF SAID SURFACES, AND A PAIR OF REINFORCED EDGE PORTIONS EACH DISPOSED BETWEEN ONE OF SID SURFACES AND THE PANEL, SAID EDGE PORTIONS HAVING CHANNELS RECEIVING THE RESPECTIVE MARTINAL PORTIONS AND BEING IN SUCH CLOSE PROXIMITY OF THE RESPECTIVE SURFACES THAT THEY AT LEAST REDUCE BLEEDING OF MOLTEN SUBSTANCES ABOUT SAID PARTITION, THE RESISTANCE OFFERED BY SAID EDGE PORTIONS TO MELTING AT TEMPERATURES PREVAILING IN SAID MOLD AT THE TIME SAID CHAMBERS RECEIVE MOLTEN SUBSTANCES EXCEEDING THE RESISTANCE OFFERED BY SAID MARGINAL PORTIONS, THE MOLTEN SUBSTANCES RECEIVED IN SAID CHAMBERS EVENTUALLY FORMING A MONOLITHIC INGOT WITH SAID PARTITION.
 8. A METHOD OF CASTING TWO LOTS OF MOLTEN METALLIC SUBSTANCES INTO A COMPOUND INGOT IN A MOLD HAVING WALLS DEFINING A MOLD CAVITY COMPRISING THE STEPS OF POURING TWO MOLTEN METALLIC SUBSTANCES INTO A MOLD; SEPARATING THE TWO SUBSTANCES IN THE MOLD FROM EACH OTHER BY A PAIR OF END PIECES HAVING CHANNELS AND BEING LOCATED OPPOSITE EACH OTHER ADJACENT AND ABUTTING THE INTERNAL WALL FACES OF SAID MOLD AND BY AT LEAST ONE PANEL EXTENDING ACROSS THE MOLD AND HAVING ENDS LOCATED IN THE CHANNELS WHEREBY SAID ENDS ARE PROTECTED FROM THE HEAT OF THE MOLTEN SUBSTANCES BY SAID END PIECES AND ARE NOT MELTED; PERMITTING SAID SUBSTANCES TO COOL AND HARDENED SO THAT SAID END PIECES, SAID PANEL AND THE TWO HAWRDENED SUBSTANCES IN THE MOLD FORM A COMPOSITE INGOT; AND WITHDRAWING THE COMPOSITE INGOT FROM THE MOLD. 